Saturday and I wake early to see if the England women’s rugby match is on ITV hub yet. It’s not. I make warm drinks and take them back to bed where my partner and I do our Saturday morning catch up. Breakfast follows and we talk Christmas presents. I watch a rugby match but by half time It’s clear that England are running away with it, so my partner and I go vegetable shopping at the local garden centre. Back home there are more rugby matches to watch until it is no longer possible to avoid doing two things: one, feed the hedgehog and, two, train.

The hedgehog had eaten some of its food, so I replenish the dish and return to the house where I go to the rower in the garage. I’ve got more layers on than usual as the garage is cold and I intend to row slowly. I still have anxieties after yesterday’s blood post training, so I am being tentative as I go into the session. I have the radio on and set out slower for my half hour at my normal resistance level. It goes okay but I am feeling tired and looking forward to my rest day tomorrow.

I record the session in my food and training journal before changing into my evening slob around clothes and settling in front of the TV for Strictly and an early evening. All around is the sound of fireworks as the local community celebrate a tragic failure and occasionally, we get a free burst of bright lights and sparks. I wonder what the hedgehog makes of it. It will be an early night for me in readiness for my Sunday weigh in. I am desperate for it to be below 99 kilos. If I mange that I might allow myself to indulge in a treat when out for lunch with friends tomorrow. Whatever happens it will be a rest day.